Fran Patnaude

Artist Statement

It is said that the function of the Zen Arts is to simply directly point to the true nature of reality. I would have to say that all art produced by human beings past and present that truly nourishes the spirit and works with life as it’s media reflects this Zen attitude. It is this awakened orientation combined with a methodology rooted in this awareness that finds it’s highest level of completion with the interweaving of society. How we as a people on this great earth can honor our individual nature and yet realize that our world community is the base on which this miraculous uniqueness depends is a question we must take up. Our survival depends on it. Art done with a foundation of spirit offers the opportunity to not only be a visionary guiding light, but also a practice which directly manifest this insight. My artwork is simply expressions of an attempt to enter into this great challenge.